A comprehensive action plan proposed for bee health

Syngenta and Bayer CropScience have proposed an action plan to help unlock the EU stalemate on bee health. This follows the failure of the European Commission to reach agreement with Member States on an appropriate response to EFSA’s report on the theoretical risk to bee health from neonicotinoid pesticides.

Syngenta COO John Atkin said: “This comprehensive plan will bring valuable insights into the area of bee health, whereas a ban on neonicotinoids would simply close the door to understanding the problem. Banning these products would not save a single hive and it is time that everyone focused on addressing the real causes of declining bee populations. The plan is based on our confidence in the safety of our products and on our historical commitment to improving the environment for bees.”
→ > Read the media release

Study reveals no link between neonics and bee health

A new study has been published by the UK Government that confirms that there is no significant link between neonics and bumble bees.> Read more

Understanding the problem

There is a lot of publicity throughout Europe blaming pesticides called neonicotinoids for the decline in honey bees and other pollinators.

However, neonicotinoids are some of the most effective forms of crop protection technology available and have been used safely across millions of hectares of European crops. Many years of independent monitoring prove that when used properly – as they consistently are – neonicotinoids do not damage the health of bee populations.

It is clear that the honey bee, which is vital to farming and food production, is beset by a range of different and complicated health threats. We have to understand completely what the problems are and what can be done about them. This site is designed to improve this understanding.